2025–26 SJHL season

2025–26 SJHL season
LeagueSJHL
SportIce hockey
DurationPre-season
August–September
Regular season
September–March
Post-season
March–April
Games336
Teams12
Streaming partnerHockeyTV
2025 Draft
Top draft pickCamryn Aebig
Picked byWarman Wolverines

The 2025–26 SJHL season is the 58th season of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).

The franchise formerly known as the Notre Dame Hounds relocated from Wilcox to Warman and was rebranded as the Warman Wolverines following a change in ownership.[1]

The league's North Division (comprising the Flin Flon Bombers, La Ronge Ice Wolves, Melfort Mustangs and Nipawin Hawks) was renamed the UPL North Division, pursuant to a 3-year sponsorship agreement with UPL Corp.[2] The South Division (comprising the Estevan Bruins, Melville Millionaires, Weyburn Red Wings, and Yorkton Terriers) was renamed the Bunge Division following the corporate merger between the title sponsor Viterra and Bunge Global.[3][4] The Central Division (comprising the Battlefords North Stars, Humboldt Broncos, Kindersley Klippers, and Warman Wolverines) was branded as the Nutrien Division, after its title sponsor Nutrien, in 2023.[5]

The following rule changes were adopted under the expanded Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) pilot project:[6]

  • Western Junior A teams will be permitted to register up to five U.S.-born players at one time on their active roster, a decrease from the previous six.
  • 16- and 17-year-old U.S.-born players who have been drafted, listed or signed by a WHL team will be eligible to be rostered by any Western Junior A team.
  • Each Western Junior A team will be eligible to roster one 16- or 17-year-old player whose parent(s) reside(s) outside of their province or region, if the player has been drafted, listed or signed by a WHL team
    • Up to a maximum of 23 such players across all Western Junior A teams, or one player from each WHL team.
  • Out-of-province players who participate in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) will be eligible to affiliate with Western Junior A teams in their school’s respective province or region.
  • No more than eight players born in a province not participating in the WCDM may be registered on the active roster of a Western Junior A team.

The WCDM pilot project began in 2024–25 across Western Canada.[7]

Regular season

The regular season begins 19 September 2025. Each team will play 56 games, including 8 against teams in their division and 4 against teams in other divisions.[8] The top 8 teams overall advance to the playoffs.[9]

Post-season

The top 8 teams overall in the regular season advance to the quarterfinals. The winners in each round are determined by best-of-seven single-elimination playoffs. The winners of the final round will be awarded the league championship and advance to the national championship tournament.[9]

References

  1. ^ "'It's bittersweet': SJHL commissioner Kyle McIntyre explains why Notre Dame Hounds are moving to Warman". MooseJawToday.com. Harvard Media. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  2. ^ Walchuk, Benny (7 July 2025). "SJHL's northern division renamed". SaskToday.ca. Harvard Media. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  3. ^ Davenport, Cole (4 July 2025). "$8.2B Viterra-Bunge merger now complete". CTVNews. Bell Media. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  4. ^ Walchuk, Benny (3 September 2025). "SJHL and Bunge renew partnership with launch of Bunge division". SaskToday.ca. Harvard Media. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  5. ^ Corrigan, Jeromy (7 September 2023). "Nutrien Named SJHL Central Division Sponsor". sjhl.ca (Press release). Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Western Canadian Development Model pilot project to expand scope". Red Deer Advocate. Black Press Media. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  7. ^ Tompkins, Ben (12 July 2024). "New pilot project to have positive effects on SJHL development". northeastNOW. Pattison Media. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  8. ^ Walchuk, Benny (9 June 2025). "SJHL welcomes Warman Wolverines, adopt new player protection rule at annual general meeting". SaskToday.ca. Harvard Media. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Playoff format". sjhl.ca. Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 14 June 2025.

Sources

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